Ilmārs Rimšēvičs, governor of the Bank of Latvia, does not plan to request a permit to access official secrets, says the bank’s press-secretary Jānis Silakalns.

«There are no plans to request issue of a new permit – it is not needed to work in the council of the European Central Bank. If questions associated with officials secrets appear during work, such questions are handled by the vice-governor of the Bank of Latvia,» said Silakalns.

Constitution Protection Burea’s press-secretary Iveta Maura explained that once a person’s permit is revoked they are allowed to apply for issue of a new one after five years. It is not possible re-issue a permit if a person was previously found guilty of committing a crime or if the person previously served in a foreign special service.

It is not in the Constitution Protection Bureau’s competence to decide if Rimšēvičs is allowed to remain governor of the Bank of Latvia without a permit to access official secrets. In accordance with the law, the bureau’s objective is ensuring protection of official secrets. The bureau’s director does not make decisions in regards to situations with work relations in other institutions. «Posts that require access to official secrets are divided by the head of each institution after coordinating affairs with a state security institution,» said Maura.

Also Silakalns said there are no indications to imply Rimšēvičs’ wage could change. «There are no indications to suggest it could change in the future,» said Silakalns.

At the same time, Silakalns admitted that Rimšēvičs’ wage will be calculated from 26 February onward. The question regarding the wages Rimšēvičs missed while he was suspended from his post is not topical.

Silakalns also said the next meeting of European Central Bank’s council is planned for 6th and 7th March. ‘The governor of the Bank of Latvia plans to attend this meeting. He will ask permission from the prosecutor to leave the country to attend this meeting,’ he added.

When asked about journalists asking Rimšēvičs questions, Silakalns said that considering the sheer amount of work the governor has after returning, as well as the need to re-assess the situation at the bank and resolve topical problems, no press-conferences or interviews are planned at the moment. «Nevertheless, the governor of the Bank of Latvia will likely meet with media representatives soon,» he said.

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